Shardiya Navratri Witnesses Record Devotee Turnout at 51 Shaktipeeths in Uttar Pradesh, Highlighting the Power of Spiritualism
( The Alop Shankari Devi Temple in Prayagraj, one of the most revered among the 51 Shaktipeeth, is the only temple in the country where there is no deity; there is just a small square swing that hangs on a rope, and where flowers are placed by devotees. They touch the swing and give it a little push so that it swings. Hindu scriptures say that the right palm and fingers of the Devi that were cut by the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu fell here, where the temple was constructed. But immediately after falling on the ground, the palm and fingers disappeared, and hence the temple was named Alop Shankari Devi in Alopi Bagh locality of the city, very close to the Sangam. Thousands of women devotees outnumbering men throng this unique temple daily throughout the year. It was probably because of this temple that the locality was also named Alopi Bagh.
Uttar Pradesh, October 3, 2025: During the nine days of Shardiya Navratri, the 51 Shaktipeeths in Uttar Pradesh witnessed an unprecedented footfall of nearly two crore devotees, according to a statement released by the state government on Wednesday.
Among these, Vindhyavasini Dham in Mirzapur alone attracted 50 lakh devotees, underscoring the shrine’s immense popularity and status as the state’s most prominent Siddhapeeth.
Mirzapur’s Vindhyavasini temple, traditionally receiving 1–1.5 lakh visitors daily, recorded an astonishing 4–5 lakh devotees per day, with numbers surging to 6–7 lakh during the final three days of Navratri.
The newly constructed Vindhyachal Corridor helped manage the heavy influx, providing pilgrims with better facilities and improved access.
Similarly, the Maa Vishalakshi temple saw a considerable rise in footfall, with 20,000–30,000 devotees visiting daily from Saptami to Navami.
At Gayatri Shakti Peeth Choura Devi temple in Varanasi, over 1 lakh devotees participated in rituals until Navami, while Maa Kushmanda temple in Durga Kund attracted 12 lakh devotees across nine days, with about 2 lakh daily in the festival’s final three days.
In western Uttar Pradesh, Saharanpur witnessed nearly 7 lakh devotees at Shakumbhari Dham and approximately 4 lakh at Tripur Bala Sundari temple.
Maa Pateshwari temple in Balrampur recorded 6.5 lakh visitors, especially between Saptami and Navami, complemented by a 15-day fair organized by the temple management.
Prayagraj’s Maa Alop Shankari Dham saw a staggering footfall of over 12 lakh devotees, prompting government investment of nearly ₹6 crore in passenger sheds, lighting, and beautification projects.
Tarkulha Devi temple in Gorakhpur hosted 50,000 devotees daily, crossing 1 lakh on Navami, while Budhiya Mai temple in Kusmhi jungle attracted 5 lakh visitors, with 1 lakh daily in the festival’s last three days. The government has spent crores on tourism development and facilities enhancement at these sites.
Other significant footfalls included:
- Hathiyaram Math, Ghazipur – 40,000 devotees
- Kamakhya Devi temple – over 1 lakh devotees
- Jaunpur’s Maa Sheetla Chaukiya temple – 70,000 daily
- Lalita Devi temple, Naimisharanya – over 2 lakh devotees
- Agra’s Chamunda Devi temple – 2 lakh devotees
- Kaila Mata temple – 15 lakh devotees
- Sati Mata temple – 2 lakh devotees
- Kali Mata temple – 1.5 lakh devotees
- Sheetla Mata temple – 10 lakh devotees
- Nari Semari temple, Chhata (Mathura) – 3 lakh devotees participated in rituals using sticks and lathis
- Temples in Jhansi, Maharajganj, Auraiya, Hapur, Siddharthnagar – hundreds of thousands of devotees over the festival period
Spiritualism, Inner Strength, and Guidance for Youth
The massive turnout at these temples reflects more than mere devotion — it highlights the profound role of spiritualism in nurturing moral consciousness, discipline, and inner strength.
Participation in rituals, prayers, and festivals encourages individuals to cultivate sobriety and self-restraint, reducing tendencies toward wrongdoing.
For the youth, exposure to such spiritual practices serves as a guiding force, helping them follow the path of righteousness.
Immersion in devotional activities fosters ethical awareness, empathy, and respect for tradition, contributing to societal cohesion. Religious engagement reinforces a collective sense of purpose and responsibility, helping communities remain harmonious even during periods of social stress.
Recognizing this, the UP government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has invested in developing multiple religious hubs across the state.
These initiatives not only enhance facilities and infrastructure for pilgrims but also promote spiritual engagement as a tool for ethical and responsible citizenship.
The sheer devotion witnessed at Uttar Pradesh’s Shaktipeeths during Navratri reminds us that spiritual practice strengthens the inner self, helping individuals resist negative impulses and guiding the youth toward virtuous living.
In essence, spiritualism becomes a foundation for personal discipline, societal cohesion, and moral clarity, distinguishing Indian society in its emphasis on inner development compared to the West.
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